Taking Notes: Outdoor Clothing for Snowbird Adventures

Thankfully, summer’s not over, but I’m already thinking about what to pack when we hit the road in Fall. As we enter our third year of living in the RV during winter, I believe I’ve got a better grasp of what kind of outdoor clothing to pack.

We’ll be on the road during what are technically the coldest months of the year, but as snowbirds, we’ll try to stay one step ahead of the nasty weather that haunts most of North America from fall to spring.

Unlike snowbirds who just say in one place, Jim and I tend to go off the beaten path to isolated areas with few people and spectacular scenery.

The price we pay for these adventures is that we need to be pack the right type of clothing for our roaming lifestyle, without sacrificing important space for booze and technology.

Here’s what gear will go in the RV this season:

Jim’s outdoor clothing list

  • 1 pair La Fuma hiking shoes
  • 1 pair Asics running shoes
  • 1 pair Nike slip on shower shoes
  • 1 Marmot rain jacket / windbreaker
  • 1 pair Columbia snow pants
  • 1 Button down wool shirt-jac
  • 3 pairs of sweats
  • 1 set polypropylene long underwear
  • Socks: hiking, wool, running, liners
  • 1 sweatshirt
  • 1 fleece vest
  • 1 pair hiking gaiters
  • 1 pair convertible hiking pants with zip-off legs
  • 3 pairs shorts
  • 2 running outfits
  • 1 pair bike shorts
  • 1 pair swim trunks

Rene’s outdoor clothing list

  • 1 pair North Face hiking boots
  • 1 pair Nike running shoes
  • 1 pair Mizuna running shoes
  • 1 pair Teva sandals
  • 1 North Face rain jacket / windbreaker
  • 1 pair Moonstone rain / snow pants
  • 1 zip up fleece sweatshirt
  • 3 pairs sweats
  • 1 pair polypropylene long underwear
  • 1 pair leggings
  • Socks: hiking, wool, running, liners
  • 1 zip up sweatshirt hoodie
  • 1 casual fleece sweatshirt
  • 1 pair hiking gaiters
  • 1 pair convertible hiking pants with zip-off legs
  • 2 pairs jeans
  • 3 pairs shorts
  • 2 running outfits
  • 1 pair bike shorts
  • 1 swimsuit

This list isn’t comprehensive but it’s the bulk of of what we build our wardrobe around.

Obviously, we don’t go to too many places that require dressy attire, but we do carry one set of nice clothes for each of us. Last year I made the mistake of thinking I would need lots of clothes while working for Satan, so I took far too much clothing.

Now that I know I’m not cut out to punch a clock anywhere again, I’ll leave the work clothes at home and save that space for something more important; two buck Chuck and Trader Joe’s eats.

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